Roof Maintenance

The most important part of the physical structure of
your house is your roof. This part of the house is exposed to high
winds, pouring rain, sleet and snow and therefore most susceptible to
damage. The roof of your house should be inspected after every winter to
assess roof damage. Making this a habit will save you sudden unexpected
expenses, that can arise from repairs that are need to repair a damaged
roof. A well-maintained roof is the best protection that you can give
the physical structure of your house.

Asphalt roofs are intended to last only for about 15 years. Roofs made
of slate, clay and tile can last for longer only when well maintained.
Experts have found that most owners do not inspect their roofs
regularly. Here are a few things that you should remember while
inspecting your roof for damages:

Check if there any trees growing close to the roof. Trees can
cause enormous amount of damage to the roof. Branches of trees that
hang over the roof can break, puncture and damage the roofing
material. Leaves can block the gutter system on the roof, allowing
rainwater to collect and this can cause leaks in the attic. Keep the
trees close to the roof trimmed at all times.

Check for black streaks or discoloration on the roof. This
discoloration is a result of mold, algae or fungus growing. This is
especially a problem when the humidity is high and on roofs that are
in the shade for a long time. If the roof is not treated it can
result in damage to the roofing material causing leaks in the house.
Trim trees to increase air circulation and install zinc strips along
the roof ridges. These strips form zinc oxide when they react with
rainwater, which forms a protective coating, which prevents the
growth of mold, fungus etc.

Over a period of time roofing material can get torn off or can
get weak. This weak roofing material can get blown off by strong
winds, thus making the home interiors vulnerable to water damage.
While inspecting if you find that the roof is damaged then repair it
immediately, as it will only get worse with time.

You can fix a number of these problems on your own.
But it is advisable to use a professional roofing contractor to do the
repair. Make inspection of the roof a regular habit.